Middle East Archives

Stay Updated

The latest pieces from MENASource:

MENASource

Apr 25, 2024

The Syrian parliamentary elections are coming up. Should anyone care?

By Vladimir Pran and Maroun Sfeir

The polls will be held again against a backdrop of massive displacement, unresolved conflict, partial occupation, and an intransigent regime.

Conflict Elections

MENASource

Apr 18, 2024

Jordan took out Iranian munitions over its airspace. Now it has tensions with its people and Iran.

By Aaron Magid

A full-scale Iran-Israel war would likely harm the Hashemite Kingdom, which is squeezed between the two more powerful adversaries.

Conflict Iran

MENASource

Apr 18, 2024

The KDP is boycotting the upcoming elections. Iraqi Kurdistan may get stuck in an electoral impasse.

By Sarkawt Shamsulddin

As the June election deadline looms, the future of Kurdistan’s political stability hangs in the balance.

Elections Iraq

Middle East Programs

Through our Rafik Hariri Center and Middle East Programs, the Atlantic Council works with allies and partners in Europe and the wider Middle East to protect US interests, build peace and security, and unlock the invaluable human potential of the region.

Explore More

Content

IranSource

Apr 26, 2024

Everything you need to know about Iranian rapper Toomaj Salehi and his death sentence

By Khosro Kalbasi Isfahani and Andrea Alice Richardson

On April 24, a revolutionary court in Iran sentenced dissident rapper Toomaj Salehi to death on charges of “spreading corruption on the Earth.”

Civil Society Human Rights

New Atlanticist

Apr 25, 2024

Why Taiwan stands with Israel

By Tuvia Gering

In many ways, Taiwan sees a reflection of itself in Israel—two vibrant democracies facing threats from hostile neighbors.

China Conflict

MENASource

Apr 25, 2024

The Syrian parliamentary elections are coming up. Should anyone care?

By Vladimir Pran and Maroun Sfeir

The polls will be held again against a backdrop of massive displacement, unresolved conflict, partial occupation, and an intransigent regime.

Conflict Elections

New Atlanticist

Apr 25, 2024

Why Italy’s G7 is focusing on securing undersea communication networks

By Paolo Messa

Amid increasing maritime threats, the West should shape an inclusive coalition specifically designed to safeguard the undersea domain.

Europe & Eurasia Infrastructure Protection

Podcast

Apr 24, 2024

American Hit Squad in Yemen

By Alia Brahimi

Host and Nonresident Senior Fellow Alia Brahimi speaks with BBC investigative journalist Nawal Al-Maghafi about her film on American mercenaries in Yemen.

Conflict Defense Industry

Report

Apr 24, 2024

Natural gas and the energy transition: Security, equity, and achieving net zero

By Phillip Cornell

A new report on the future of natural gas in the energy mix and financing in the context of the energy transition and energy security prerogatives.

Africa Central Asia

In the News

Apr 23, 2024

Wechsler joins Scripps News to discuss Iranian and Israeli strikes

By Atlantic Council

Conflict Iran

In the News

Apr 23, 2024

Polymeropoulos book review of “But You Don’t Look Arab and Other Tales of Unbelonging” in The Cipher Brief

On April 23, Forward Defense nonresident senior fellow Marc Polymeropoulos wrote a book review for The Cipher Brief of Hala Gorani’s “But You Don’t Look Arab and Other Tales of Unbelonging.” The review covers the story of Emmy Award-winning international journalist Hala Gorani, from her time as a globe-trotting correspondent and anchor with her own […]

Conflict Education

IranSource

Apr 23, 2024

This round of Iran-Israel escalation is over, but the next could be just around the corner

By Raz Zimmt

The continuous campaign between Iran and Israel is unlikely to end, and the precedent set by their direct military engagement has become another option on the confrontation table.

Conflict Iran